High School Again: The President's Secret Lady Boss

Later that night, everyone had dinner together.

Unlike the Middleton's estate, the atmosphere inside the Lexington's home is warm and cozy. Despite looking just as grandiose and resplendent if not more, the ambiance in that place is welcoming rather than imposing. This made Winter wonder what has made the difference, which was soon answered by Harold at one point during dinner.

"My nephew hates it when the mansion is empty. That's why he's living somewhere else instead of staying in a place where he's constantly reminded of us???" he had told her, having noticed how she seemed to be quietly pondering over the lively setting that was making up the dining hall at the moment.?? ?? ??

"Since I always go on trips, I can't be here all the time. My parents have work to do at our branch companies, too, though they visit him more often than I do."

She was a bit taken aback when he leaned closer to her out of nowhere. It seemed that she had made him wait long enough. They could only greet and introduce each other earlier. She knew that he still had things to say.

"By the way, thank you for putting up with him. He can be quite a handful," he continued, expression grateful.

"Oh, no. He's the one who's actually putting up with me. I've been causing him all sorts of trouble," she corrected while shaking her head.

"Really now? What could be more troublesome than having a flirt as your partner?"

"Making him go for a swim against his will at a cold evening?"??

Harold knows he shouldn't, but he can't help but chuckle at that. Winter gets that he's just amused by the humor in those words ??? not really the situation itself since death-and-life matters shouldn't be taken lightly.??

"Well, I guess you're two peas in a pond, then," he quipped with a smile that reached his ears.

"Not at all. He's more of a babysitter at this point rather than a troublemaker. Besides, he doesn't play around with women anymore ??? or at least, based on what I've heard and observed," she pointed out.??

"Did he ever tell you why he had to do it to begin with?"??

"Yes, he did. It's part of his undercover work, wasn't it?"??

"There's that, but my real question is, did you know why he chose this tactic in particular? He could've done it using other means."

Winter stilled upon hearing that. She then glanced at her side where Marcellus was seated. He's talking with August and Victor at the moment ??? something about going for a drink later in the evening. She felt that whatever Harold was about to tell her should at least have his permission.

Yet, before she could tell him that she'd just hear the answer to that from Marcellus himself, he already went on to say, "It's because of his mother."

This time, Winter stiffened rather than still. There was no change in Harold's expression, however ??? it's still calm and placid, almost as if he trusts her enough to disclose yet another part of their past that she doesn't know about. Claude did something like this before, she recalled.

"His mother?" she spoke discreetly.

"Before my nephew began to live with me, he was raised by his father, but before that, his mother was the one who took care of him - at least until he turned six or seven, I think. He's very smart even at such a young age, so he got to comprehend what's happening around him. Then, it just so happened that his mother was a prostitute???" he explained, trying to be discreet as well.

"His very first teacher is his mother. That should already be self-explanatory."

And it is.

Having a prostitute as a guardian could mean being exposed to the kind of environment that she had. Perhaps, she was quite the great seducer, considering that she even got to charm the former heir of the venerated Lexington family, and because it was through seduction that she succeeded, she must have left the impression that it would go the same for whoever who would do what she did.??

Her son saw it - then, learned it. So, he applied it when he grew.??

"She'd been his role model ??? a bad one, albeit. Still, they're both extraordinarily beautiful. So, he thought of using the same tactic that she used, which was, ironically, for the sake of not turning out the way she did. While she made use of her beauty to survive, he made use of his to succeed in life," Harold remarked, somewhat like a poet, enlightening Winter even more.

Now, she knows another reason why he used to flirt. As usual, hearing Marcellus's past makes her feel kind of heavy ??? and it's because his history itself is heavy. Even so, this doesn't change how she sees him. If anything, it makes her want to cherish him more.

To assure him that whatever will come starting from this point on is full of light and happiness.??

"Come to think of it, you've already reached the legal age to drink, haven't you, Winter????" Marcellus inquired all of the sudden, turning away from August and Victor to look at Winter.

"Do you want to join us gentlemen?"

"Now, now, nephew. I know that you've been pretty laid-back these days, but spare Ms. Middleton from your nonsense???" Harold chimed in, feigning disappointment.

"She still has to go to school tomorrow. Didn't you hear her earlier?"

"But that's exactly why I'm inviting her! So that she doesn't need to go and stress herself out-"

"Grandson! Did we raise you to be a bad influence on others????!" Marianne bolted out from aghast shock.

"You want to intoxicate her so she can't go to school?! Is that it?!"

"Someone's needing a spanking tonight, it seems???" Francis joined in, shaking his head disapprovingly.??

"As I thought, the young miss is too good for someone like you."

While Marcellus is in a panic to save his dignity, August is smirking from the side - looking so pleased it's almost smug. He probably enjoys seeing someone else do what he usually does. Victor, on the other hand, decides to focus on his meal and mind his own business, so does Harold.??

The place has become even livelier from there, chatters, laughter, and other noises filling the air. There were so many things that had happened, but seeing it all end with a sight where everyone has a smile on their face has made it worth it, and for once, everything looks perfect ??? like everything is in place.??

Winter takes satisfaction in keeping silent for the whole dinner, smiling and thinking to herself, 'Just like this. I want things to stay like this.'

---?? ??

"Hi there, Winter! Wanna join us for a ride?"

Moments after the last class ends on the next day, Winter finds herself flabbergasted.??

It just happened that Lacey and Amanda decided to pay a visit to her school without any prior notice. They even parked their luxurious roadster car right in front of the campus ??? almost as if boasting. Though surprised by their grand entrance like everyone else there who also witnessed it, Courtney and Maxine are already used to this kind of scene at this point, so they end up not reacting much.??

Winter has promised that she'll spend time with them again once their classes dismiss, and right now, they're only waiting for Ace and Xander to come out of the building.?? ?? ?? ?? ??

But then came Lacey and Amanda's invitation again.

"We never got to talk during the party, didn't we? As thanks for inviting us, we'd like to treat you to something, and maybe, you know, get to know each other better," Lacey offered from the driver's seat.??

"Oh, and no more parties and drinking! We can go to a spa or a parlor or wherever you like!" Amanda chirped, grinning and waving from the passenger's seat.

For a moment, Winter didn't say anything.

She already knows her answer to their invitation. No need to contemplate. While it may look like she's doing just that, there's a different reason for her silence ??? she's quietly giving them credits.??

'Unlike before, they can hang out with anyone they want to hang out with - by their own will, even. There's no Bianca to order them around anymore. I also heard that Ms. Park's relationship with her boyfriend is going smoothly. She's stringing Ms. Rockwell along in studying business and household management, too. They've always been open about their gratitude towards Wynonna Snow for giving them the push they need, and because of that, I think they're inviting me genuinely.'

Courtney and Maxine soon noticed how quiet Winter has gotten. Getting the impression that she wants to go with Lacey and Amanda, they decided to give up on today's plans and reassure her that she can go.

"What? Are you sure?" she asked them, a little surprised, to which they nodded.

While they may have said that, Winter can tell that they don't want her to leave. They've been wanting to spend time with her for a while now, after all.

And of course, her friends will be her priority.??

"Silly. You don't have to worry about me cancelling our plans???" Winter said with a small giggle, smiling at Courtney and Maxine before turning back around to look at Lacey and Amanda once more.??

"Sorry, ladies.. I'm unavailable right now. Maybe some other time?"